WPCA to begin charging users for service, maintenance of system

MIDDLEFIELD -- After years of not charging users within the Route 66 sewer district, the Water Pollution Control Authority will have to resume billing users for service and maintenance costs.

JOHN CHRISTIE

Published
12:00 am EDT, Sunday, October 13, 2002

For the past six years the WPCA has been paying Middletown's Water and Sewer Department for servicing and maintaining the Route 66 sewer district out of a surplus account, according to town accountant Joseph Geruch.

The WPCA paid Middletown $11,200 during the 2001-02 fiscal year for servicing the system.

Tax Collector Anne Olszewski said the WPCA had accidentally overcharged the district's users, creating a surplus, and thus decided to stop charging until the surplus account was used up in paying back Middletown.

The Route 66 sewer district is comprised of 68 residents and business along Meriden Road and in the Harvestwood Road and Sylvan Ridge neighborhood.

WPCA chairman Richard Boynton said the authority plans on setting a new user fee at $269 per year for each single-family dwelling.

The authority will hold a public hearing on the matter Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Middletown Community Center.

"We have to let people know that (not charging) won't last forever," Boynton said. "We want us-ers to come so we can show them how the money is being spent."

Also the WPCA will explain to users the costs and options for replacing or repairing old grinder pumps that have been breaking down and exploding in Harvestwood Road resident's homes.

Last year, Harvest Wood Road residents submitted at petition to the WPCA asking for the town to take ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the their pumps after years of putting up with flooded basements and big repair bills.

The WPCA will show the costs related to three major options for dealing with the problem:

-- The authority pays for repairing user's grinder pumps from a fund all users contributed to.

-- The WPCA replaces all existing grinder pumps to be installed in the homeowner's basement.

-- The WPCA replaces all existing grinder pumps to be installed in the homeowner's yards.

Boynton was unable to provide figures on the costs for the various options, but said they would be provided to residents during the meeting.

"This is very important for them to hear, because it could end up increasing the user's fees even more," he said.